The Hoya: The Guide: November 16, 2018

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Beyond the Front Gates Exploring Nearby Neighborhoods

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Eclectic Food Culture Entices Diners Across the District MADDIE FINN AND ALLAN NAVARRO

Hoya Staff Writer and Special to The Hoya

Food served out of a truck. Bottomless mimosas before noon. Innovative ethnic cuisine. Kitchens bursting with creativity.

These scenarios describe not a culinary utopia but rather the food scene of our nation’s capital. Outside the front gates, extraordinary and student-friendly meals await. With distinct food around every corner in each neighborhood, the options are endless.

The restaurants of Washington, D.C., have come to reflect the values of the neighborhood they are located in. Whether the experience is fast and delicious or slow and immersive, a crucial reflection of the culture of the nation’s capital comes through in the food that fuels it.

RESTAURANTS ON WHEELS

Providing a window into the District’s mobile food scene, the National Mall’s wide variety of food trucks makes it nearly impossible to avoid the temptation of eating at one. The D.C. area has over 150 food trucks in operation that people exploring the District can try.

Tourists and residents alike frequent the extensive assortment of trucks to get a quick bite to eat in between monumenthopping or a day packed with meetings.

Thankfully, the D.C. restaurants-on-wheels

are relatively less expensive for D.C. and more accessible to students.

The food truck craze launched in the D.C. area in 2009, as part of the larger trend across the country. Fojol Bros. — a since-defunct food truck specializing in Indian food and friendly service that was one of D.C.’s first food trucks according to the Washingtonian — began driving around the city on Jan. 20, 2009, the date of former President Barack Obama’s first inauguration.

Jessica Sidman, a food editor for the Washingtonian who covers the culinary scene in D.C., explains what factors caused the rising popularity of the food truck, looking both at the history and the current landscape.

“It’s a national trend of these food trucks, because it was an easy way to start a business, much easier than starting a restaurant,” Sidman said in a phone interview with The Hoya.

Nowadays, food trucks can park in 10 different officially recognized zones in D.C., including along the Mall and near

government buildings in Farragut Square and L’Enfant Plaza.

“The ones that end up on the Mall are the ones that are aimed more for tourists,” Sidman said. “The ones that are more interesting are the ones that are in downtown, that are geared towards government employees and working people.”

Some trucks around the city have gained a considerable amount of fame.

Abunai, a modern Hawaiian poke restaurant, began as a food truck in 2016 but has used its success to establish a traditional brick-and-mortar location near Farragut Square. Abunai is one of the few places in D.C. offering Hawaiian comfort food on a budget. Customers can get poke or spam musubi, along with two sides and a drink, for less than $15 — a price ideal for college students used to District prices.

Gourmet food trucks have also started to become more common in D.C. José Andrés, one of the city’s most famous chefs, owns and operates award-winning restaurants around the country like the two Michelinstarred Minibar but decided to make D.C. the home for his first — and only — food truck.

The industrial looking Pepe offers “Spanish Flauta” sandwiches, made fresh on site and featuring mouth-watering ingredients from serrano ham to fried vegetables on freshly baked bread. While the price point is higher, with sandwiches averaging $20, the delicious taste of the sandwich more than makes up for the cost.

As food trucks have spread across the District and surrounding areas, they offer the perfect opportunity for students to try new cuisines. With a food truck for almost any fare imaginable, from New York-style pizza to Venezuelan arepas, and their rela-

tively low prices for the District, the D.C. food truck scene presents a less expensive, quicker and more inventive way to explore the District.

LEVERAGING LUNCHES

For students and working professionals alike, lunch is more than just a meal. The District is a working city, and networking and business meetings often take place over a quick midday meal — the quintessential “power lunch.”

The power lunch is a truly D.C. concept with a storied history. With young professionals flocking to and from Capitol Hill every lunch hour, CNN reported that certain restaurants became hotspots for the District’s professionals to network.

Duke Zeibert’s — or Duke’s to the people who frequented it — was one of the first quintessential restaurants where politicians met in D.C for power lunches, according to Washington Top News.

Though it closed in 1994, the place was legendary among the D.C. celebrities who frequented it, like J. Edgar Hoover, Larry King and former President Bill Clinton. A Washington Post article describes Duke’s as a historical marker of the District for the establishment of the power lunches, where the people with whom the patrons ate mattered more than the quality of the food. Duke’s was not about the taste; rather, it was about the powerful and discreet

FAR LEFT: FOJOL BROS.; CENTER LEFT: PEPE FOOD TRUCK; CENTER RIGHT: BLUE DUCK TAVERN; FAR RIGHT: ABUNAI FOOD

Patrons have been flocking to restaurants like Duke’s since the 1950s for professional power lunches, but residents now have a wider array of options for their midday cravings.

Diners can still stop by Blue Duck Tavern for a fancy cocktail and networking, but the advent of food trucks now presents casual and creative options at a lower price.

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Politicians still use power lunches and business dinners as a tool to forge new relationships and make deals: Most of the restaurants offer satisfying enough food to match the atmosphere of these networking venues. Many of the spots they frequent can be expensive — including Le Diplomate and Blue Duck Tavern, located near Dupont Circle — but students can still partake in the tradition at high-end places like Fabio Trabocchi restaurants without breaking the bank, Anna Spiegel, a food editor at the Washingtonian, said.

“Going during the early and mid-week, especially during lunch, is a great option for a student budget,” Spiegel said in a phone interview with The Hoya. “Places want to get people in the door, so they have lunch deals that offer the same food at a cheaper price.”

While the Maria Menu at Fabio Trabocchi restaurants is still more expensive than a sandwich from Wisemiller’s Grocery and Deli, the meal will be far more memorable

and impressive.

Chef Geoff’s, located near American University in AU Park, is the famed spot with a classic ambience where one lucky student got her cast signed by former Vice President Joe Biden, Culture Trip reported.

Although its meals can be expensive during the day, the special prices of its happy hour menu featuring bar food essentials make Chef Geoff’s relatively more affordable for a college budget.

Capitol Lounge on the Hill is a popular spot among younger staffers. With thincrust pizza and burgers, this place is more for the up-and-coming than the established politicians but still has the classic D.C. vibe that a power lunch requires. Its motto — “No Politics, No Miller Lite” — would make even Duke Zeibert proud.

A LA MODE EXTRAVAGANZA

One of the staples in any 20-something’s week is a weekend brunch, and Georgetown students are no different. With the perfect combination of breakfast and lunch food — and often bottomless drinks for the over-21 crowd — everyone can find something to enjoy.

Brittany Arnett (COL ’19), co-founder and co-president of GU Eating Society, runs the @toastedtable food account on Instagram, which has over 8,000 followers.

Arnett considers the pageantry of brunch

as what creates its appeal.

“It makes a day event out of eating,” Arnett said.

Though brunch may seem like the stereotypical millennial trend, its roots go back as far as an article from The Washington Post in 1906, according to a “Ghosts of D.C.” account. District residents took to the new meal throughout the 1900s, and now nearly all restaurants serve some form of brunch.

“Typically, brunch is a cheaper option to go to a really nice place,” Arnett said.

She recommends Le Diplomate for a discounted price but still classy outing.

Arnett also notes that Boqueria is also a favorite among students, offering a $40 bottomless brunch of Spanish tapas and mimosas.

However, Call Your Mother in Columbia Heights serves freshly baked bagels and coffee for a cheaper and quicker mid-morning option, but patrons should prepare to wait, according to Sidman.

“People are lining up for their bagels — it’s crazy,” Sidman said.

Other popular options include the creative El Chucho in Columbia Heights and the cult classic Farmers Fishers Bakers. But no matter where you go, Arnett firmly believes brunch always leads to a fun experience. “[Brunch is] a perfect excuse to just eat a lot and drink a lot in the middle of the day on a weekend,” Arnett said.

IMMIGRANT INFLUENCES

D.C. is one of the most diverse cities in the nation, according to Bloomberg; its residents experience this diversity in the array of food available to them.

The District has the largest Ethiopian population in the world outside of Africa, according to American University. As Ethiopian people have taken root in the D.C. area, so too has their style of dining, which eschews traditional silverware as diners

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use their hands to rip off chunks of injera flatbread and to serve up spicy wats.

In recent years, since the founding of the first Ethiopian restaurant in what is now known as “Little Ethiopia” on 9th and U streets, Ethiopian dining has become a revelation in D.C. as new and increasingly diverse Ethiopian restaurants are founded every year.

Letenea in Columbia Heights offers a wide variety of vegetarian options in a fast-casual setting, perfect for students. In Adams Morgan, Zenebech is a family restaurant that offers a more traditional sitdown dining experience.

The influence of immigrant cultures in D.C food goes far beyond just Ethiopian food.

Bad Saint on 11th Street NW represents a modern twist on Filipino food, garnering such popularity and acclaim that patrons start lining up as early as 3:15 p.m. for its 5:30 p.m. dinner, according to its website.

The trendy Maydan on Florida Avenue NW serves Middle Eastern food cooked under a live fire to encourage patrons to feel “a sense of wonder,” according to its website.

Getting the most out of D.C.’s culinary scene requires exploration. The Georgetown bubble often limits students to the restaurants within a few blocks. Arnett says that students should explore, whether by sampling food from a country that they have always wanted to go to or trying out a new brunch place.

“Just go: Get in the Uber; get out; literally break the bubble,” Arnett said. “Make it a scheduled plan. It’s so worth it.”

FAR LEFT: EL CUCHO; CENTER LEFT: FARMERS FISHERS BAKERS; CENTER RIGHT: LE DIPLOMATE; FAR RIGHT: LETENEA

For people seeking an upscale dining experience, diners can try the cult classics Farmers Fishers Bakers, Le Diplomate and El Cucho, which make a meal into an occasion.

The District’s diversity extends to its food scene, as well. Patrons can now experience restaurants like Letenea, which serves Ethiopian food in Columbia Heights.

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Maryland

Virginia

Meet the

Neighborhoods

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Your Comprehensive Guide to DC Neighborhoods

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ADAMS MORGAN

Historic Counterculture Persists in DC’s Quirky Quarter DENNESE MAE JAVIER AND TARINA TOURET Hoya Staff Writers

As one of Washington, D.C.’s premier late-night neighborhoods, Adams Morgan features myriad live music options, allnight diners and bars. Though the area is notorious for its nightlife, Adams Morgan is more than a mere late-night hotspot. Featuring a rich cultural and historical background, Adams Morgan exudes a vibrant energy reflected in the variety of cultures highlighted by its coffee houses, restaurants and vintage stores.

Located in Northwest D.C., just a few blocks north of Dupont Circle roughly between Connecticut Avenue and 16th Street, the area is hilly and dotted with lush greenery and tree cover. Most of the bars and shops line 18th Street, while houses, apartments and public parks are situated to the east and west of this main artery.

The neighborhood’s title, Adams Morgan, reflects the area’s identity as a cultural meeting point. When the Supreme Court ruled that segregated schools were unconstitutional in the 1954 case Brown v. Board of Education, the neighborhood’s formerly all-black school, Thomas P. Morgan Elementary, and formerly all-white school, John Quincy Adams Elementary, were merged and integrated, christening the area Adams Morgan, according to The Washington Post.

Today, Adams Morgan is home to plenty of coffee shops, bars and quirky vintage depots that may appeal to students wishing for an edgier alternative to Georgetown.

The coffee shop Tryst reflects the energy and diversity of the District itself. Inside, couches are scattered among small and large diner-like wooden tables, and a bar lines the left side of the venue. Open from 7 a.m. to 12 a.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Tryst is the perfect place to sit down for a coffee, grab a late brunch on a Sunday or listen to live music during happy hour.

The ambience is lively, with people continuously entering to seat themselves for a bite or drink. Some can be seen working or studying on their laptops on the large and comfortable couches, while others around them are chatting with friends and family.

The Songbyrd Music House and Record Cafe expresses the neighborhood’s amalgamation of culture through music. The right side of the restaurant has an indie coffee shop vibe, catering to those who want to grab a frothy latte, expand their record collection or study outside the confines of a room in Lauinger Library. The left side features a restaurant and bar immersed in music from local artists.

In addition to its cafe, bar and restaurant, Songbyrd is also home to The Byrd House.

Located in the funky basement of Songbyrd, it hosts a variety of international, national and local talent from DJs to live performers.

Tickets to performances vary in price from free to $20. Songbyrd also throws a

number of recurring events, such as Open Mic Night every first and third Thursday of the month and “Vinyl and Vinyasa Yoga” the first Saturday each month.

Songbyrd’s dedication to physical music forms is also found in its vintage “Voice-OGraph” recording booth, which allows customers to record anything from music to comedy directly onto a 45 RPM vinyl.

A more recent attraction in the neighborhood is the LINE, a hip boutique hotel featuring three restaurants, two bars and one coffee shop. Housed inside the neoclassical First Church of Christ, The LINE also hosts local pop-up events, silent auctions, free movie screenings and monthly self-care sessions.

At the entrance, visitors are greeted by the full-service radio room, which “features over 30 local hosts and shows with dynamic programming that spans across art and culture, food and drink, and music,” according to the hotel’s website. Accessible by the Metro’s Red line, the LINE is perfect for studying in its modern lounge or treating yourself to a nice dinner.

Additionally, the neighborhood is deeply invested in the tradition of social justice and cultural change. The Potter’s House, a bookstore and coffee shop, was founded in 1960 and is run by the Church of the Savior, an independent Christian faith community.

The Potter’s House has been a historic welcoming space for marginalized groups, holding Spanish language nights and publishing catalogs covering Latinx crafts and art to engage with political and economic refugees from Central America who settled nearby. The Potter’s House continues to provide a space where neighbors, friends or strangers can all come together to challenge one another, ask questions, create movements and engender social change.

In addition to bars, cafes and bookstores, Adams Morgan is home to Meeps, a clothing store with funky displays and music, and Smash Records, a record shop that also sells vintage and indie designer clothing.

Founded in 1984 in Georgetown, Smash Records moved to Adams Morgan in 2006 and specializes in punk and alternative rock CDs and LPs; the ragtag feel of the shop makes it worth a visit even for those who are not interested in purchasing punk records.

Adams Morgan, with its countercultural aesthetics and late-night energy, is a break from the stuffier atmosphere of other regions of the District. Students should visit this vibrant neighborhood for its multidimension social spaces like the live-musicbar-cafe Songbyrd, bookstore-coffee-shopactivist-church The Potter’s House and record-shop-vintage-clothing-store Smash Records.

Adams Morgan can be reached by a 15-minute walk from Dupont Circle, where the Georgetown University Transportation Shuttle runs daily, or by the nearby Woodley Park Metro stop.

TOP: THE LINE, BOTTOM: MAGGIE CHEN FOR THE HOYA

The LINE, top, is a multi-use space with frequent special events. The Songbyrd coffee shop, bottom, epitomizes the eclectic and historic spirit of Adams Morgan.

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DUPONT CIRCLE

Knowledge, Art and Diplomacy Meet at a Cultural Crossroads FARIS BSEISO AND JULIANA ALBUQUERQUE Hoya Staff Writers

Located at the intersection between Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Hampshire avenues is one of the most famous traffic circles in Washington, D.C.: Dupont Circle. The grassy park in the center of the roundabout is adorned with a stunning fountain that honors the area’s namesake, Samuel Francis Dupont, an admiral in the Mexican-American War and a naval officer for the Union during the U.S. Civil War. Dupont Circle and the area surrounding it serves as a microcosm for D.C. It is an area with impressive historical depth, complemented by many changes over the years, and is now a cultivated and trendy location for both residents and tourists.

What makes Dupont different from other areas in the city, though, is its juxtaposition of sophisticated cultural centers with more casual hotspots.

There is no better illustration of this contrast at work than the art community. For example, The Phillips Collection, the first modern art museum in the country, provides people with a cosmopolitan taste of the arts.

The building houses pieces from some of the most famous painters in the last few centuries. From Henri Matisse and Pierre-Auguste Renoir, to Vincent Van Gogh and Willem de Kooning, the variety and notoriety of the

modern art on display is unparalleled.

With regard to viewing experiences, the Collection offers many different options for visitors to choose from. There is the Rothko Room, which serves as a meditation space, where guests sit with walls covered in Mark Rothko’s signature abstract blocks of color.

Additionally, there is the family gallery, which offers different activities for children.

Visitors can also pay to have private tours of parts of the gallery that are not available for free.

In contrast to The Phillips Collection, Dupont Underground is a staple of Dupont that is located underneath the circle. Accessed by walking down the stairs under a red Dupont Underground sign at the intersection of 19th Street and Dupont Circle, the space is used for music shows, art exhibitions and interactive theater performances.

Georgetown students should be sure to visit the World Press Photo Exhibition, which showcases selected visual journalism of the past year. Another current exhibition, “Sounds from the Underground,” gives local singers and musicians the opportunity to showcase their talents.

In addition to the underground scene, independent bookstores are other great places to visit in Dupont. Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe, located on Connecticut Avenue, is a combined bookstore and coffee shop with a well-curated collection of books, with a particularly large section devoted to

current affairs and politics. The bookstore is cozy, with wooden floors and several small rooms that are usually crowded with browsing customers.

The cafe is at the back of the store and remains open until 1 a.m. People sit at the small tables with coffee and pastries and books, journals and laptops. Kramerbooks & Afterwords is the kind of place that is impossible to get bored in: One could easily spend a couple of hours browsing through the extensive literary catalogue and nibbling fish tacos at the cafe.

Another Dupont Circle gem, Second-Story Books, is only a five-minute walk away from Kramerbooks & Afterwords, with a selection of literature just as awe-inspiring. Second-Story Books has a less-harried atmosphere than the bustling Kramerbooks & Afterwords. Cell phone conversations are forbidden in the store, and the atmosphere is calm and peaceful. Second-Story is the perfect place to browse through second-hand books uninterrupted, and it is also very easy to lose yourself among the neat stacks lining the deceptively large store.

Second-Story is also home to cool graphics, DVDs and CDs, as well as collector’s items such as the first American and first edition in English of “Les Misérables,” available for purchase for $4,000. The store is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and has been named one of the best bookstores in the Washington metropolitan area by the Washingtonian magazine.

When visitors are tired of book browsing, they can gaze at the impressive architecture of Embassy Row, a stretch of Massachusetts Avenue extending northwest from the circle. When strolling through Dupont, Hoyas can find many embassies representing countries from all corners of the globe.

Some notable locations are the Indonesian Embassy, which features a 16-foot statue of the Indonesian goddess of knowledge and wisdom Dewi Saraswati, and the Finnish Embassy, which is the first environmentally friendly embassy in the United States. The distinct aspect of these offices is that many of the buildings in the area were not initially designed for consular services. Most of the Dupont embassies are located in historic residences, which provide a more old-school feel than many newer, modernist embassies.

For those looking for the perfect junction between tradition and modernity, Dupont Circle is the place to be — located just a 10-minute car ride away, there is no excuse for Hoyas not to enjoy a stroll around the area. Dupont has a plethora of opportunities for classy activities, whether visitors prefer books and a snack, underground music performances and art galleries, or the architectural grandness of the Embassy Row.

Students can reach Dupont Circle by a 30-minute walk, taking the Georgetown University Transportation Shuttle or taking the Metro to the Dupont Circle station.

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D.C. residents have seen the city evolve in myriad ways. While some of the changes have not been well received, the positive impact of cultural centers like Kramerbooks & Afterwords is undisputed. Dupont has been the nucleus of the city’s cultural evolution, with a wide variety of options for people to explore, including embassies and galleries.

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FOGGY BOTTOM AND DOWNTOWN DC

Student Life Flourishes Alongside Performing Arts MICHELLE BROWN AND VERA MASTRORILLI Special to The Hoya and Hoya Staff Writer

Downtown Washington, D.C., has surprises for locals as well as tourists, and Foggy Bottom has more to offer District residents than just The George Washington University. These neighborhoods house quintessential D.C. destinations like the Kennedy Center and the Daughters of the American Revolution Constitution Hall, as well as lesser-known gems like Landmark E Street Cinema.

A little exploring reveals Foggy Bottom and surrounding D.C. neighborhoods to be an enclave of entertainment, performing arts and cultural significance that speaks to the diverse aspects of life in D.C. In the last decades of the 1800s, the Foggy Bottom area was dominated by the smokestacks and industry of companies like the Washington Gas and Light Company, and mainly populated by low-skilled workers and recent immigrants to the United States who lived in slums near the factories.

The area earned its name from the mixture of fog and smoke from the factories that permeated the neighborhood. However, 1947 marked a distinct shift in the neighborhood’s character. That year, the Washington Gas and Light Company began dismantling its industrial plants, and the U.S. State Department moved to Foggy Bottom, resulting in the area’s transformation from an industrial quarter to a hub for white-collar workers.

Today, students fill the neighborhood’s sidewalks, and brick and beige stone buildings dominate the space of Foggy Bottom.

Roughly bounded to the north by K Street and to the south and east by the parks of the National Mall, Foggy Bottom’s focal point is The George Washington University. Though GWU has an open campus, visitors can tell that they’ve entered the school’s territory the moment they go north of E Street.

Academic buildings, dormitories and small plazas packed with students are interspersed with cafes and grocery stores. Food trucks line H Street next to the university’s dining facility.

Brittany Shepherd, a staff writer for the Washingtonian and a former student at GWU, explained that Foggy Bottom is more than an extended university campus, however.

“Foggy bottom isn’t a typical college neighborhood — it’s a white-collar working person’s area that just happens to have a college, too,” Shepherd wrote in a text message to The Hoya. “Because of that, there’s a good mix of fun, experimental spots like Beefsteak [an ironically named restaurant themed around vegetables] and Washington stalwarts like Founding Farmers [an upscale casual American restaurant].”

Northeast of Foggy Bottom is downtown D.C., which stretches roughly from 22nd Street to 9th Street and from P Street to H Street. Alongside office buildings and shopping centers, the area houses some of the District’s most impressive facilities for art and entertainment. Residents seeking a distinct film experience can venture east of the White

House to find Landmark E Street Cinema, a destination for students seeking a dose of culture or late-night fun marked by its glowing art deco neon front. One of 52 venues across the nation owned by Landmark Theatres, E Street Cinema specializes in foreign-language and independent films and documentaries.

One weekend each month, the theater hosts midnight showings of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” and Tommy Wiseau’s cult classic “The Room,” at which shouting the films’ famous lines and throwing spoons at the screen is encouraged. The concession stand’s beer and wine selection further enhance the moviegoing experience. Whether you’re looking for sophistication or laughs, E Street Cinema is worth a visit.

One of the most recognizable venues in Foggy Bottom is the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. A large and imposing structure perched on the shore of the Potomac River, the Kennedy Center hosts both the Washington National Opera and the National Symphony Orchestra, which put on theater productions, ballets and jazz performances. The venue is free to enter, and students looking for an impressive view of the monuments and Georgetown can walk in and take the elevator to the top floor, where a panoramic esplanade grants 360-degree views of the river and city.

Initially approved under President Dwight D. Eisenhower as the National Cultural Center in 1958, the center was renamed in 1964

by President Lyndon B. Johnson to pay homage to President John F. Kennedy, who was assassinated just months after signing legislation to expand its resources. Though the center was established over half a century ago, the historic site still brings all mediums of entertainment and education to D.C.’s culture.

This November, the WNO is showing Pulitzer Prize-winning opera “Silent Night.”

Though some may be hesitant to watch an oldfashioned style of performance, Sabrina Skacan, senior press representative of the WNO, believes that opera can appeal to everyone.

“There’s a mystique and stereotype that opera only appeals to an older age group, but younger audiences can relate to the human journey of its storylines: love, sex, tragedy, death, betrayal, etc,” Skacan wrote in an email to The Hoya. “Today’s entertainment landscape is busy with so many options from binging to mobile but a lot of that is a singular activity. Getting dressed up, going to happy hour and joining new friends at the opera is highly suggested!”

Skacan thinks that “Silent Night,” which depicts the unofficial Christmas truce of World War I, holds particular appeal for college students because of its emphasis on learning.

“I think college students will appreciate the historic aspect of the opera and appreciate the humanity of learning that we have more in common with each other than what divides us, if we’re willing to listen,” Skacan wrote.

The NSO continually updates its perfor-

mances and accommodates new tastes and audiences; its upcoming performances include traditional symphonies like Gustav Mahler’s “Symphony No. 1,” as well as more modern performances like the “NSO Pops” series, in which the orchestra plays exclusively popular music.

Another iconic performance venue in the area is the Daughters of the American Revolution Constitution Hall, a National Historic Landmark Building identifiable by its impressive neoclassical facade and grand stage.

Founded in 1928, DAR Constitution Hall boasts the largest auditorium in D.C. and hosts various events and concert tours.

Some of its most popular performances include free annual holiday concerts by the U.S. Army, Air Force and Navy bands. In 2019, DAR Constitution Hall will host singer Sarah Brightman’s world tour “Hymn: Sarah Brightman In Concert” and the Clintons’ speaking tour, “An Evening with President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.”

Offbeat entertainment venues, historic performance centers and classic dining spots make downtown D.C. and Foggy Bottom must-visit destinations for visitors and locals alike. Hop on a bus from Wisconsin Avenue and start exploring one of D.C.’s hubs for entertainment and performing arts.

Foggy Bottom can be reached by a 30-minute walk from Georgetown University or by taking the Metro to the Foggy Bottom-GWU stop.

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The Kennedy Center hosts myriad performances from groups like the Washington National Opera and the National Symphony Orchestra. Free to enter, the roof of the building has a panoramic esplanade that grants breathtaking views of Georgetown and the national monuments.

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ROSSLYN AND ARLINGTON

Memorials, Hiking, Views Await Across the Bridge SUNA CHA

Special to The Hoya

Peering across the Potomac river from the Hilltop, high-rise buildings touting corporate names like Deloitte and Nestle dominate the horizon. The northern Virginia skyline might catch student’s eye, but to understand the heart of Rosslyn, a heavily urbanized neighborhood just across the Key Bridge, one must venture across the bridge.

Arlington County, roughly encompassing the area of Northern Virginia from Ronald Reagan National Airport and Crystal City in the southeast to Williamsburg in the northwest, has an estimated population of 235,000. The county includes the Pentagon, Arlington National Cemetery and the dense high-rises of Rosslyn.

Rosslyn began as a small community around a ferry landing along the Potomac River during the colonial period.

In the 1860s and 1870s, the area became known for its brothels, pawnshops and saloons, gaining a reputation for danger and lawlessness.

However, as community efforts to clean up the neighborhood were established and more government jobs appeared in Washington, D.C., the area gradually developed. High-rise apartments and office

spaces sprang up in earnest in the 1960s as businesses and government agencies tried to distance themselves from the 1968 riots in the District. Today the area has a more urban appearance than many areas of D.C. itself.

Arlington is known for its landmarks and national parks, particularly those honoring military servicemen and women. For example, the Netherlands Carillon, adjacent to Arlington National Cemetery, dates back to 1954 when the Netherlands gifted it to the United States for its aid during World War II. Symbolizing friendship between the two countries, the Carillon hosts live concerts throughout the summer. At Arlington National Cemetery, tour buses make rounds to notable historical landmarks such as the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial, President John F. Kennedy’s gravesite, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Arlington House, which memorializes Confederate General Robert E. Lee. Although much of Arlington has been urbanized and developed following a commercial and industrial boom beginning in the 1960s, the city remains a popular destination for hiking and pedestrian trails. For example, parks along the Potomac River such as Windy Run Park and Fort Bennett Park have nature

paths and streams, providing a small reprieve from bustling city life. For those who prefer more of a challenge, the longer eighteen-mile Mount Vernon bike trail is a popular route. The Mount Vernon trail stretches from Theodore Roosevelt Island to George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate. Offering views of the Potomac and Washington, D.C.’s monuments, the trail is a hot spot for avid cyclists that is also accessible for leisurely strolls.

The Arlington area is also a hub for seasonal activities around the District.

The MedStar Capitals Iceplex is a tworink ice-sports center and the highest ice rink above street-level in the United States. Located on the eighth floor of the Ballston Quarter mall, it is also the practice arena for the Washington Capitals.

Visitors can take lessons in figure skating or ice hockey, or purchase a pass and rent skates for public skating sessions.

Admission and rental rates are $14 total, but thrifty skaters should be on the lookout for hot deals sponsored by Arlington County, usually on the first Friday of every month and Tuesday afternoons.

Another close option for ice skating in Arlington is Pentagon Row, known as the largest outdoor rink in Northern Virginia and the second-largest in the

state. In 2013, the plaza at Pentagon Row underwent major renovations to expand the rink and install a dual-sided stone fireplace for lounging during breaks.

The Pentagon Row Ice Rink opens for the season from late October to midMarch every day. The area also hosts a variety of fall-themed seasonal activities and summer-specific outdoor performances and festivals like its annual summer Outdoor Film Festival.

One of Arlington’s defining characteristics is its panoramic views of the District. Those who want to see the nation’s capital in all of its splendor from the viewpoint of its humble neighbor should check out the observation deck at the CEB Tower, which offers a panoramic view of the entire city from above.

Whether visiting military landmarks, immersing oneself in nature or skating to Christmas music, the activities of Arlington, particularly in the Rosslyn neighborhood, distinguish the area in D.C.’s diverse cultural scene.

Rosslyn is a 30-minute walk from campus across the Key Bridge, and the free GUTS bus service takes students there every 20 minutes. The neighborhood is also accessible from the Rosslyn Metro station.

JULIA ALVEY/THE HOYA

Rosslyn, an urban neighborhood of Arlington County right across the Key Bridge from Georgetown, has numerous high-rises and impressive views. Visitors can see a panoramic sweep of Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. from the observation deck of the CEB Tower. Other parts of Arlington feature attractions like the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial and the Pentagon Row Ice Rink.

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Columbia Heights

Known for its prominent Hispanic influence and recent development, Columbia Heights is an unassuming neighborhood with a deep culture, centered on the stretch of 14th Street north of Florida Avenue and south of Spring Road NW. The Mexican Cultural Institute, a museum and cultural center housed in the former Mexican Embassy, is located in the core of the neighborhood. The institute hosts performances, exhibits and cooking classes led by celebrity chef Pati Jinich. The building itself is a mansion dating back to 1910, adorned with vibrant murals depicting Mexican folk history. Visitors can request guided tours or the public events that the institute hosts throughout the year.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2018

Even Further Beyond The Bubble H Street Corridor

The H Street Corridor, located along a roughly milelong stretch of H Street in Northeast D.C. just south of Union Market, is an eclectic neighborhood known for its arts and restaurant scene. Each fall, the neighborhood hosts the H Street Festival, an annual blockparty featuring eccentric artists and performances, and many local vendors. The festival has grown exponentially since its first blockparty 12 years ago and is now attended by over 100,000 people. The festival is well-known for its wide range of local artists and its communal spirit.

Shaw

The Shaw neighborhood, just east of Logan Circle, is well-known for its rich history regarding the intersection of civil rights and culture. The Howard Theatre was originally a segregated theater in the mid-20th century where many of Washington, D.C.’s most famous natives such as Duke Ellington performed. The Howard was reopened in 2012 and today boasts an eclectic array of live shows, with a special focus on music genreswith black roots likereggae, go-go and hip-hop.

Anacostia

The Anacostia neighborhood is located east of the Anacostia River in Southeast D.C. The neighborhood has a rich culture rooted in civil rights and black history. Cedar Hill, the historic home of freed slave and statesman Frederick Douglass, is located in Anacostia.

The house is now preserved as a museum, which visitors can pay a modest fee to tour and enjoy as one of the landmarks of the area’s historically black community.

Southwest Waterfront

The area south of the National Mall along the Potomac River has seen a development boom in recent years that has rendered the area one of the District’s most bustling neighborhoods. However, there are still vestiges of the neighborhood’s past hidden in plain sight. The SW Arts Club is an art collective located in the repurposed, 15,000-square-foot Friends Baptist Church built in 1886. The building’s facade is painted with a kaleidoscope of technicolored designs, and its inner spaces house an art annex, performance space and urban farm.

ILLUSTRATION BY: SAMUEL NELSON/THE HOYA

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the guide

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Chronicling the District’s Development SARAH CAMMAROTA Hoya Staff Writer

ILLUSTRATION BY: STEPHANIE PARMITER/THE HOYA

ILLUSTRATION BY: EMILY SHAMBAUGH/THE HOYA